Texas City is the primary pilot boat within the U.S. to function the Seakeeper gyro stabilization system
The Galveston-Texas City Pilots have taken supply of the pilotage affiliation’s fourth pilot boat from Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding, Duclos Corporation, Somerset, Mass.
The new launch, the Texas City, is provided with a Seakeeper 30HD stabilizing gyro, which, in response to shipyard officers, will cut back the vessel’s roll by as much as 80%. According to the pilotage association, that is the primary pilot boat outfitted with a Seakeeper within the U.S.
With a size total of 73.2 toes, beam of 23.3 toes and draft of 5.9 foot, the all-aluminum, high-speed pilot boat options the Ray Hunt Design deep-V hull.
It is powered by a triple 800 hp Volvo Penta IPS-Pod 1050 system, that includes Volvo Penta D13, EPA Tier 3 marine diesel engines, every delivering 800 bhp at 2,300 rpm.
Top velocity is over 33 knots and the vessel runs at 30 knots at 80% energy.
The vessel will burn 30% much less gasoline than the pilots’ present 70-foot pilot boats on the similar velocity, says shipyard co-president, Peter Duclos.
Humphree interceptors, with lively trip management and coordinated flip and automated trim optimization, are put in on the transom to robotically optimize the vessels working trim, and actively cut back pitch and roll at velocity above 15 knots.
“The additional Seakeeper stabilizing gyro reduces roll at all speeds and will improve safety and reduce fatigue, especially while standing by for ships offshore and boarding pilots in a sloppy anchorage,” says Duclos.
The wheelhouse, mounted to the flush deck aft of amidships of the launch, encompasses a center-line helm station, with a twin-lever management head and a 3-axis maneuvering pleasure stick.
The wheelhouse has heated ahead and aspect home windows, six Norsap 1500 shock-mitigating seats and a sofa with desk. Two Phasor 21 kW turbines produce electrical energy.
The forecastle features a stateroom with two berths, head, hanging locker, small galley and dinette. HVAC within the wheelhouse and forecastle is provided by six self-contained, reverse-cycle air-conditioning models, totaling 80,000 Btu. Interior sound ranges at full energy are underneath 75 dBA. Outside the wheelhouse are huge side-decks and a flush primary deck.
On the foredeck, aft of the wave break, are port and starboard boarding platforms. A Carlisle & Finch search gentle, with built-in NightFinder thermal digicam, is positioned on the ahead finish of the wheelhouse roof.
A Harken TR-31 security rail system has been put in on the wheelhouse handrails.
A management station, with a 3-axis maneuvering pleasure stick, is on the transom of the pilot boat, together with a winch-operated J-Basket rescue system and recessed stairs and platform for pilot rescue operations.
